Vol. 495 No. 4
438 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the facilities available to children in primary schools where their teacher is absent for a week on compassionate leave; if a substitute can be employed for this period; and the options open to the board of management to enable those children continue their education during that period. [20499/98]
A teacher absent on unpaid compassionate leave may be replaced by a temporary teacher whose salary is paid by my Department. A teacher absent on paid compassionate leave may be replaced by a substitute teacher. However, except in the case of principals in one teacher schools, the salary of the substitute is not borne by my Department. As an alternative to appointing a substitute teacher, a board of management may opt to redistribute the class(es) of the absent teacher among the remaining teaching staff.
440 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if an additional teacher was appointed to the one-teacher school at Castlepollard, County Westmeath, in September 1998 as promised in An Action Programme for the Millennium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20501/98]
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the school to which he refers received sanction for the appointment of an additional teacher with effect from 1 September 1998. This sanction was given in accordance with the commitments set out in An Action Programme for the Millennium in relation to one-teacher schools.
